Police

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer received the President’s Award for Public Service at the 2021 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, recognizing his contributions to the community. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Juneau police chief recognized at Alaska Federation of Natives convention

The award was for an Alaska Native person who made outstanding contributions to their community.

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer received the President’s Award for Public Service at the 2021 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, recognizing his contributions to the community. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Lt. Scott Erickson teaches a class on use of force policy to a group of Juneau residents during the Juneau Police Department’s Citizen’s Academy on Nov. 4, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau residents get look at policing with Citizen’s Academy

A handful of Juneau residents are getting up close and learning some of the fine details of the job.

Lt. Scott Erickson teaches a class on use of force policy to a group of Juneau residents during the Juneau Police Department’s Citizen’s Academy on Nov. 4, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer said that crime numbers were looking good as Juneau steers its way out of the pandemic.

Police: Crime numbers trend down as Juneau navigates out of pandemic

Property crimes were Juneau’s biggest category for the last several years.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire 
Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer said that crime numbers were looking good as Juneau steers its way out of the pandemic.
A patrol vehicle driven by a Juneau Police Department officer struck a pedestrian on Thursday night, resulting in minor injuries. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau police car strikes pedestrian

The teenager suffered minor injuries but didn’t require hospitalization.

A patrol vehicle driven by a Juneau Police Department officer struck a pedestrian on Thursday night, resulting in minor injuries. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Bodhi Race, 3, beams in the driver’s seat of an emergency vehicle during National Night Out on Tuesday evening. Race was among the children who attended the festivities on Rivercourt Way. Emergency responders, police, animal control officers, firefighters and search and rescue personnel interacted with the community for the annual even. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Bodhi Race, 3, beams in the driver’s seat of an emergency vehicle during National Night Out on Tuesday evening. Race was among the children who attended the festivities on Rivercourt Way. Emergency responders, police, animal control officers, firefighters and search and rescue personnel interacted with the community for the annual even. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Detective Patrick Taylor draws a sidearm-controller Wednesday during a VR training simulation as Sgt. Sterling Salisbury controls the scenario from a computer elsewhere.
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire
Detective Patrick Taylor draws a sidearm-controller Wednesday during a VR training simulation as Sgt. Sterling Salisbury controls the scenario from a computer elsewhere.
Members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs task force arrested a Juneau resident for the possession of methamphetamines worth more than $50,000 on Friday. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Members of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs task force arrested a Juneau resident for the possession of methamphetamines worth more than $50,000 on Friday. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo / Alaska State Troopers
Alaska State Troopers shop for Juneau families at Fred Meyer on Dec. 21 as part of the Alaska Police Officer Association’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event.

Law enforcement officials spread holiday cheer

Distancing didn’t dampen donations or detract from delight.

Courtesy photo / Alaska State Troopers
Alaska State Troopers shop for Juneau families at Fred Meyer on Dec. 21 as part of the Alaska Police Officer Association’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event.
Kelly Michael Stevens, pictured here in 2007, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo / Ben Crittenden)
Kelly Michael Stevens, pictured here in 2007, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo / Ben Crittenden)
Juneau Police Department narcotics dog Buddy and handler Officer Mike Wise pose with Buddy’s new kennel, assembled with funds raised by the Juneau Crime Line. (Courtesy photo / Robin Paul)

Juneau Crime Line helps fund police dog kennel

The police station did not previously have an “office” for the narcotics dog.

Juneau Police Department narcotics dog Buddy and handler Officer Mike Wise pose with Buddy’s new kennel, assembled with funds raised by the Juneau Crime Line. (Courtesy photo / Robin Paul)
The Juneau Police Department, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department, March 20, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
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Police announce community game in lieu of National Night Out

The annual August public affair exercise was canceled over coronavirus concerns.

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Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer, left, and Deputy Chief David Campbell, right, pose with Sgt. Nick Garza, center, for Garza's promotion to sergeant on Oct. 14, 2020. (Courtesy photo / JPD)

JPD officer promoted to sergeant

He has been with JPD since 2009.

Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer, left, and Deputy Chief David Campbell, right, pose with Sgt. Nick Garza, center, for Garza's promotion to sergeant on Oct. 14, 2020. (Courtesy photo / JPD)
The Juneau Police Department arrested a Juneau man suspected of killing a woman in a domestic incident in 2019 on Oct. 2. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau Police Department arrested a Juneau man suspected of killing a woman in a domestic incident in 2019 on Oct. 2. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire)
A 17-year-old boy is being charged with driving under the influence and other charges after an early-morning crash on Sept. 19 damaged two houses in the Mendenhall Valley.

Teenager arrested after vehicle rams houses

The boy suffered a small cut, the only injury of the crash.

A 17-year-old boy is being charged with driving under the influence and other charges after an early-morning crash on Sept. 19 damaged two houses in the Mendenhall Valley.
Ana Corcoran, left, receives a plaque from Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer naming her his choice for JPD’s Civilian of the Year, Sept. 18, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Police Department)

JPD announces annual officer and civilian awards

The regular, formal ceremony was put paid to by pandemic.

Ana Corcoran, left, receives a plaque from Juneau Police Department Chief Ed Mercer naming her his choice for JPD’s Civilian of the Year, Sept. 18, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / Juneau Police Department)
Kelly Michael Stevens, pictured here in 2007, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo / Ben Crittenden)

Office of Special Prosecution will not charge officer in fatal December shooting

The comments the officer made on bodycam footage are not evidence of premeditation, OSP says.

Kelly Michael Stevens, pictured here in 2007, was shot and killed during an encounter with a Juneau Police Department officer on Dec. 29, 2019. The family is filing a wrongful death suit against the JPD, the City and Borough of Juneau, and the officer involved in the shooting. (Courtesy photo / Ben Crittenden)
The Juneau Police Department has commemorative badges, left, for officers that requested them for the 50th anniversary of the unification of Juneau and Douglas. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)

JPD officers wear special badges for 50th anniversary of Juneau’s unification

The badges are authorized for wear until the end of the year.

The Juneau Police Department has commemorative badges, left, for officers that requested them for the 50th anniversary of the unification of Juneau and Douglas. (Courtesy photo / Juneau Police Department)
Lawyers want investigation of police shooting reopened

Lawyers want investigation of police shooting reopened

Attorneys say new evidence merits reexamination of previously cleared officer.

Lawyers want investigation of police shooting reopened
Troopers close Sitka cold case

Troopers close Sitka cold case

Answers to a 24-year-old tragedy have been found.

Troopers close Sitka cold case